Whenever we head home to Ottawa, our main vacation goal is to see all the family. And visiting in the summer means hot days and sticky nights, farm-fresh strawberries and corn, barbecues every weekend, backyard sprinklers and downtown festivals. Unfortunately, it also means a lot of family & friends are away on vacation. So we never get to see all the people we hope to see. This summer was no exception. I think we managed to see maybe 6 friends in total? Sorry, everyone else! But you can always *cough cough* come to Switzerland *cough cough*.

We still had a glorious few weeks enjoying the summery summertime in Ottawa. It’s the season when everything is bright and awake, with the sun suspended high in the sky for 18+ a day, and everyone spends their evenings on the patio with a drink in hand to soak up as much of the sunset as possible.

B and the kids arrived a few weeks before I did and got to enjoy the first strawberry picking of the year, visit some kid play zones and splash on the beach. It was a great chance for them to catch up with Grandma L, who left shortly after to spend the summer on the east coast.

On the climbing wall – actually this is only about 2 feet off the ground, and then he freaked out

The kids doing bumper cars

Kids on the Ottawa beach

Looking for berries

Looking for berries

Perfect fresh berries

Berry love

Once I arrived, we tried to fill our time with some more ‘touristy’ activities, since we were on our own most days while our parents or friends were working or otherwise busy. B and I managed to catch a show at the Ottawa Bluesfest – Dropkick Murphys and The Tragically Hip. It was great music… but we were totally, absolutely 100% rained out. I have never been so cold and soaked in my life. I think my body actually forced a reset at one point during the concert, because I fell asleep standing up for like 2 songs and didn’t realize it. But it was worth it!

B also took the opportunity to enjoy a football game at the new Ottawa stadium. He took about 400 pictures and short video clips, which I narrowed down to just two. You’re welcome.

Getting ready for the concert… not too wet, yet.

It’s raining a bit, but we figured it would be ok….

Dropkick Murphys up first…

The Hip comes on!

You know, Gord Downie is crazy on stage… not necessarily in a good way.

Here is something about football

And more football. Now at night.

She got her hair cut fancy

At the splash pad

One of my favorite things about Ottawa in the summer are the downtown festivals. One weekend, it was RibFest, which is exactly what it sounds: a bunch of rib stands selling copious amounts of ribs. We had a great time stuffing ourselves, and the kids discovered their love of grilled meat…

I can’t visit parliament without seeing the Eternal Flame. Can you feel my heart beating? Do you understand? Do you feel the same? Am I only dreaming?

B did a school project on the Peace Tower this year and was really excited to see it in person again.

Most of parliament was under repair this summer, but I got this nice gothic shot of the Library

Sunny war memorial. A cop complimented LittleB on his Nordiques ball cap, and he replied with “You’re welcome”….

Every ribfest needs a roasted pig on a spit

Our friend put up with a sticky girl, she was very generous

The face of an adult questioning their life decisions after trying a kids’ leftover slushee

Obviously he enjoyed his ribs…

But visiting is always bittersweet. All we’re left with are a few photos with the family, trying to keep our memories fresh while we wait for the next time we can see each other. But still, it is always worth it!